Runderella

Journey through my love for running and everything in between

New Year’s Goals

By Leave a Comment

With the start of a new year, many people begin new challenges, some are fulfilled, others not. The challenge I have given myself is to love myself, mind and body. I’ve always been tough on myself, almost never satisfied with what I accomplish, but that’s about to change.

I’m thankful for the sport of running and how much of my life it has given me back. This year, I’m working with a running coach to help me achieve my goal – a new PR at the 2015 Bucks County Half Marathon, a race I really love. I have no races scheduled until then, which it’s strange, and although I did contemplate registering for the Love Run in March, I decided to take it easy.

This past year blessed me with encouraging my sister to complete her first 5K, my two friends finishing their first half marathon and another friend who completed her first full marathon, here in the lovely city of Brotherly Love. Running has not only helped me to make everlasting friendships and bonds, but given me a feeling of self-worth and happiness. You may not be the fastest runner, but in the end, it’s gratifying to finish something you didn’t think it was possible.

I’m really looking forward to sharing with you a new year filled with new adventures, destinations and races.

Lindy x

 

Disney’s Glass Slipper Challenge Weekend: Enchanted 10K

By

I’m back from an amazing week at Walt Disney World. I must admit it started out crazy – mad traffic on I-95 at 6 AM, TSA security checkpoint lines all the way down the corridors of the Philadelphia Airport, followed by US Airways changing the gate last minute from Terminal A to Terminal C. We almost missed our flight. I swear we ran a 10K to the gate, with the doors closing promptly behind us. Remember that scene in Home Alone when everyone is running through O’Hare? Yep…that was us.

We departed on Friday and left on Wednesday. The Expo was held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports and the resorts had buses running every 15-20 minutes. Setup was no different than last year’s – it was still cramped and crowded. I just grabbed my race packet, stopped by my two favorite spots: Sparkle Skirts and Raw Threads and got out. Had a great dinner at Bongo’s in Downtown Disney and went to bed early.

Enchanted 10K

Woke up at 2:45 and headed out to the buses by 3:30 AM. Loved that the race started on time. I was in Corral B and headed out shortly after 5:30.

Disney’s Enchanted 10K start line

I didn’t care much for the first half of the course. I ran with my friend Patricia. We started out great but it was so warm and humid we had to slow down considerably.

The first 5K (3.1 miles) were on the road, pitch black and not much in sight. We passed the White Rabbit shortly after passing Mile 1 and probably 15 people in line to take a picture so we decided to keep running. There was an overpass set up with a snow-making machine and Queen Elsa from Frozen was on top of the overpass. It was a breathtaking scene. Probably my favorite highlight of the race.

After the 5K mark, we were entering Epcot and ran through World Showcase, into Boardwalk, past Yacht and Beach Club, back to Epcot and to the finish line there, past Spaceship Earth. The last three miles were awesome – lots of spectators, character stops and since the sun had already risen, everything looked beautiful. Also, it was such a nice break on my legs/feet running on the boardwalk.

Disney’s Enchanted 10K at Boardwalk

Disney’s Boardwalk

Ran the latter half faster than the first half so I was pleased with those negative splits. Also, having a half marathon the next day meant that I had to conserve as much energy as possible. The course didn’t feel cramped at all. I wish they had more entertainment during the first half. It was a great race, nonetheless. Hearing my friends shouting my name near the finish line was priceless.

The medal is really pretty. If you were running the half marathon the next day, as part of the Glass Slipper Challenge, you got a bracelet on your arm that read, “Enchanted 10K finisher.”

Here’s a runDisney photo of the Enchanted 10K medal:

Enchanted 10K Finisher’s Medal

Stay tuned for my recap of the Disney’s Princess Half Marathon.

Lindy xo

Goals for the New Year

By

Setting goals for myself for this new year is something that I’ve been thinking a lot these past couple of days. 2013 was an amazing year: the only goal I had was to finish a half-marathon and I went on to completing 4 half marathons, a 10-miler and a full marathon. Not in a million years did I ever come close to thinking I’d get this accomplished, let alone in one year.

This past year taught me so much. I’ve learned that I need to use my foam roller a lot more, that 13.1 miles is my favorite distance race, that I’m in competition with none other than myself, that hydrating properly is not just for the week of a race, but should be accomplished ALL the time.

That being said, my goals for this new year are:

  • Run 1,000 miles in 2014. This is more than double what I ran in 2013 but it’s not impossible. I did slack a lot last year and skipped a lot of my training runs. I’ve run out of excuses! 🙂
  • Try my best and always give 110% effort.
  • Use the foam roller on a frequent basis. Using a foam roller or a massage stick helps to relieve pain, stiffness and reduce muscle knots. I have IT band issues and this helps tremendously! Honestly, using a foam roller hurts like hell, but it really works. Had I done this sooner, I would’ve saved time/expense visiting my chiropractor thrice weekly for sessions!
  • Stay local!. There are so many races that I want to run, but in all honesty, I have had more fun at local races than ones I’ve traveled for, not to mention the expense of traveling for these. After Disney’s Princess Half Marathon, unless I get into the NYC Marathon, I’m staying local. I’m finishing a degree and with tuition expenses that keep skyrocketing and emptying my bank account, it seems to me it is the wisest thing to do. The Philadelphia Tri-State Area has some amazing races and I’m about to discover more of them 🙂
  • Encourage/Inspire others to run. This is actually HUGE for me. I love what running does for my body and my mind. Running allows me to escape the stress of everyday life and it makes me feel free. I love the friendships and the bonds I have formed as a result, and love how the running community comes together to inspire one another. I want people to discover how wonderful running is and that there’s no going “too slow”. You CAN do it!!

Have you set any fitness goals for 2014?

xo, Lindy